Grid structure and parts therefor or the like



Jan. 3, 1967 J. E. BELCHER, JR 3,295,282?

GRID STRUCTURE AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FI g FIG-6 INVENTOR. JAMES E. BELCHER JR.

HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 3 GRID STRUCTURE AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE J. BELCHER, JR

2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. '7, 1962 INVENTOR. JAMES BELCHER JR.

HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent f 3,295,282 GRID STRUCTURE AND PARTS THEREFOR GR THE LlKE James E. Belcher, .l'r., Henrico County, Va, assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 235,962

11 Claims. (Cl. 52460) This invention relates to an improved grid structure and to improved parts for such a grid structure or the like.

It is well known to provide a grid structure for covering an existing wall, such as an unsightly front wall of a building or the like, the grid structure carrying decorative panel means to attractively and economically modernize such existing wall structure.

One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved and attractive grid structure wherein the same can be rapidly assembled and can readily hold the desired panel means in place without having undue rattling caused by wind and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved grid structure having one or more of the novel features of this invention set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved parts for such a grid structure or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, front view illustrating the improved grid structure of this invention covering an existing wall or the like.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of the various parts of the grid structure illu trated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross ectional view taken on lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged end view of one embodiment of the muntin of this invention] FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 illustrating another embodiment of the muntin of this invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable for forming a grid structure for covering an existing wall or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide grid structures or the like for other structures.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved grid structure of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a decorative structure secured to and covering an existing wall structure 11 in a manner hereinafter described.

The grid structure 10 of this invention generally comprises a plurality of spaced parallel furring and mullion means 12 and a plurality of spaced parallel muntins 13 respectively extending between adjacent furring and mullion means 12 to cooperate therewith to define a plurality of substantially rectangular spaces 14 receiving panel means 15.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, each furring and mullion means 12 comprises a furring member 16 and a mul- Patented Jan. 3, 1967 lion member 17 adapted to be secured thereto in a manner hereinafter described,

While each furring member 16 can be formed of any suitable material and in any suitable manner, the embodiment thereof illustrated in the drawing is formed by extruding aluminum-containing metallic material or the like in a conventional manner.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, each furring member 16 is substantially T-shaped and is defined by a cross member 18 and a stem 19 extending medially from one side 20 of the cross member 18.

A pair of flanges 21 extend from the other side 22 of the cross member 18 of each furring member 16 and respectively have enlargements 23 on the outer ends thereof, each enlargement 23 having a hook-receiving channel 24 for a purpose hereinafter described.

While the furring members 16 are adapted to be secured to the wall 11 in any suitable manner, one embodiment thereof is illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 and comprises an L-shaped bracket 25 having one arm 26 thereof adapted to be secured to the wall 11 by having an anchor bolt 27 or the like passing through an aperture 28 formed in the arm or leg 26.

The other leg or arm 29 of each L-shaped bracket 25 is adapted to be secured to the stem 19 of a particular furring member 16 by having a bolt 3%) passing through an aperture 31 in the leg 29 of the bracket 25 and through an aligned aperture 32 formed in the stem 19 of the respective furring strip 16, the bolt 31} being held in place by a nut 33: and washer 34.

If desired, a plurality of disc-shaped shims 35 can be disposed between the bracket leg 29 and the stem 19 of the respective furring member 16 to properly position the furring member 16 relative to the bracket 25 as illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Therefore, it can be seen that the furring members 16 of this invention can be readily secured to the existing wall 11 in a relatively simple manner by the bracket 25.

The mullion members 17 are adapted to be interconnected to the furring members 16 in a manner now to be described.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, each mullion member 17 is substantially U-shaped and is defined by a cross member 36 having a pair of legs 37 extending from the opposed ends of the cross member 36 in the same direction and at right angles relative to the cross member 36.

If desired, the free ends of the legs 37 could be inwardly turned at 38.

Another pair of longer legs 39 extend from the cross member 36 of each mullion member 17 in the same direction as the legs 37, the legs 39 having enlarged, hookshaped free ends 4% adapted to be respectively snap fitted into the channels 24 of a respective furring member 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Therefore, it can be seen that each mullion member 17 can be readily secured to its respective furring member 16 by effecting relative movement therebetween until the enlargements 4d of the furring of the mullion member 17 are snapped into the channels 24 of the respective furring member 16 whereby the mullion member 17 and furring strip 16 are interlocked together.

However, should it be desired to further fasten each mullion member 17 to its respective furring member 16, a plurality of threaded fastening members 41, FIGURE 3, can pass through the cross member 36 of the mullion member 17 and be threadedly received in the furring member 16.

While each mullion member 17 can be formed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, the embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings are formed by extruding aluminum-containing metallic material or the like.

When the mullion members 17 are assembled to the furring members 16 in the above manner, it can be seen that the resulting furring and mullion means 12 each has a pair of oppositely directed channels 42 utilized in a manner hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 5, each muntin 13 comprises a substantially fiat wall 43 having a pair of substantially L-shaped legs 44 interconnected thereto, each leg 44 having a portion 45 extending at right angles relative to the wall 43 and a free portion 46 disposed parallel to the wall 43.

The legs 44 cooperate with the wall 43 to define oppositely directed channels 47 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The portions 45 of the legs 44 define a space 48 therebetween which is partially filled by reinforcing means 49, the reinforcing means 49 having a beveled surface 50.

The inner surfaces of the leg portions 46 of each muntin 13 can be beveled at 51 for a purpose hereinafter described.

If desired, the inner surfaces of the free end portions of the flat wall 43 of each muntin 13 can be similarly beveled.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 6 wherein another embodiment of the muntin of this invention is generally indicated by the reference character 13a and parts thereof similar to the muntin 13 illustrated in FIG- URE are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter a."

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, the inside surfaces of the free ends of the fiat wall 43a are beveled at 52 in a manner similar to the beveled ends 51a of the legs 44a.

While the muntin 13 of this invention can be formed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, the embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawings are formed by extruding aluminum-containing metallic material or the like in a conventional manner.

Each muntin 13 is adapted to be disposed between each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means 12 and have the opposed ends thereof received in and secured in the facing channels 42 of the adjacent furring and mullion means 12 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4.

In particular, each end of each muntin 13 is adapted to have the leg portions 46 thereof abut against the cross member 18 of a respective furring member 16 to space the flat wall 43 therefrom whereby a threaded fastening member 53 is adapted to pass through a suitable aperture 54 formed in the wall 43 intermediate the leg portions 45 and be threadedly received in an aperture 55 formed in cross member 18 of the respective furring member 16.

If desired, the fastening members 53 can be self threading screws to firmly secure the opposed ends of each muntin 13 to the pair of adjacent furring and mullion means 12.

Of course, the muntins 13 can be secured in place before the respective mullion members 17 are secured to their respective furring members 16, if desired.

While FIGURES 2-4 illustrate the muntins 13 as having the fiat walls 43 thereof spaced from the cross members 18 of the furring members 16, it is to be understood that the muntins 13 can be rotated 180 degrees to permit the walls 43 thereof to be disposed against the cross members 18 of the furring members 16 and be secured thereto by the threaded fastening members 53 passing through the reinforcing material 49 and Walls 43 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6.

In any event, it can be seen that the muntins 13 can be readily secured in place whereby each pair of adjacent muntins 13 have channels 47 thereof facing each other whereby the muntins 13, in combination with their respective pair of adjacent furring and mullion means 12, define the substantially rectangular space 14 bounded by the channel means 42 and 47.

While the panel means can comprise any suitable structure and be formed in any suitable manner, the embodiment thereof illustrated in the drawings is formed by expanding sheet material, such as aluminumcontaining metallic sheet material or the like in a conventional manner to provide a decorative panel means 15.

The substantially rectangular panel means 15 is adapted to have the edges thereof respectively received in the channels 42 and 47 of the bounding muntins 13 and furring and mullion means 12 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 whereby the edges of the panel means 15 are adapted to be secured to the furring members 16 by threaded fastening members 53 passing through the panel means 15 and int-o suitable apertures in the cross members 18 of the furring members 16, the beveled surfaces 51 and 52 of the muntins 13 and 13a facilitating insertion of the panel means 15 into the channels 47 thereof.

In this manner, the entire peripheral edge of each panel means 15 is received in channel means to be held in place while the panel means 15 is firmly secured to the furring and mullion means 12 by the fastening members 53.

Therefore, it can be seen that this invention provides an improved grid structure 10 which can be formed from a relatively few basic parts and in a relatively rapid manner by relatively unskilled labor to provide an attractive surfacing for the building wall 11 or the like.

Further, this invention provides improved muntins 13 and 13a for such a grid structure or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A grid structure comprising a pair of spaced furring and mullion means defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebetween, a pair of spaced muntins disposed between said furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, said muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, and a panel means disposed in the space bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furring members whereby said mullion members can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furring members and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of the other to said furring members.

2. A grid structure comprising a plurality of spaced furring and mullion means, each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebetween, a pair of spaced muntins disposed between each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels thereof, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, each pair of muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, and a plurality of panel means respectively disposed in the spaces bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furring members whereby said mullion members can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furring members and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of the other to said furring members.

3. A grid structure comprising a plurality of spaced furring and mullion means, each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebetween, a plurality of spaced muntins disposed between each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels thereof, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, each pair of adjacent muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, and a plurality of panel means respectively disposed in the spaces bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furring member whereby said mullion members can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furring members and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of the other to said furring members.

4. A grid structure comprising a plurality of spaced furring and mullion means, each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebtween, a plurality of spaced muntins disposed between each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels thereof, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, each pair of adjacent muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, each muntin having the oppositely directed channels thereof defined by a fiat wall and a pair of spaced L-shaped legs interconnected to said flat wall, and a plurality of panel means respectively disposed in the spaces bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furring members whereby said mullion members can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furring members and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of the other to said furring members.

5. A grid structure for covering a wall comprising a pair of spaced furring and mullion means secured to said wall and defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebetween, a pair of spaced muntins disposed between said furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, said muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, and a panel means disposed in the space bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furring members whereby said mullion members can be attachced to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furring members and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of the other to said furring members.

6. A grid structure for covering a Wall comprising a plurality of spaced furring and mullion means secured to said wall, each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebetween, a plurality of spaced muntins disposed between each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels thereof, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, each pair of adjacent muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, each muntin having the oppositely directed channels thereof defined by a flat wall and a pair of spaced L-shaped legs interconnected to said flat wall, and a plurality of panel means respectively disposed in the spaced bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furring members whereby said mullion members can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furring members and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of the other to said furring members.

7. A grid structure for covering a wall comprising a pair of spaced furrings secured to said wall, a pair of mullions snap fitted to said furrings and cooperating therewith to define opposed inwardly facing channels therebetween, a pair of spaced muntins disposed between said furrings and having ends respectively disposed in said channels, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furrings, said muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, and a panel means disposed in the space bounded by said furrings and muntins and having edges thereof received in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furrings whereby said mullions can be attached to and detached from said furrings without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furrings and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furrings without affecting the securement of the other to said furrings.

8. A grid structure for covering a wall comprising a pair of spaced parallel furrings secured to said wall, a pair of mullions detachably secured to said furrings and cooperating therewith to define opposed inwardly facing channels therebetween, a pair of spaced parallel muntins disposed between said furrings and having ends respectively disposed in and secured in said channels, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furrings, said muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, and a substantially rectangular panel means disposed in the space bounded by said furrings and muntins and having edges thereof receive-d in said channels, other fastening means fastening said panel means only to said furrings whereby said mullions can be attached to and detached from said furrings without affecting the securement of said muntins and panel means to said furrings and whereby said panel means or muntins can be attached to and detached from said furrings without affecting the securement of the other to said furrings.

9. A grid structure comprising a plurality of spaced furring and mullion means, each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means defining opposed inwardly facing channels, each furring and mullion means including a furring member and a mullion member detachably interconnected together and defining said channel thereof therebetween, a plurality of spaced muntins disposed between each pair of adjacent furring and mullion means and having ends respectively disposed in said channels thereof, fastening means fastening said muntins only to said furring members, each pair of adjacent muntins having opposed inwardly facing channels, each muntin having the oppositely directed channels thereof defined by a fiat wall and a pair of spaced L-shaped legs interconnected to said flat wall, and a plurality of panel means respectively disposed in the spaces bounded by said muntins and said furring and mullion means having edges thereof received in said channels, said panel means only being secured to said furring members whereby said mullion members can be attached to and detached from said furring members without affecting the securement of said muntin and panel means to said furring members, each end of each muntin being secured to its respective furring and mullion means by said fastening means passing through said flat Wall thereof and into said respective furring and mullion means.

10. A grid structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said flat wall of each muntin is spaced from the fasteniing portions of its respective furring and mullion means by said legs thereof and wherein said fastening means pass be tween said legs thereof.

11. A grid structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said flat wall of each muntin is disposed in abutting relation against its respective furring and mullion means and wherein said fastening means is disposed between said legs thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Clutter 52738 Boker 52495 Benner 52738 Peterson 52209 Nasmyth 52235 Grossman 52235 Ferrell 52235 Bayley 52235 Smith 52235 Toney 52495 Dunn 52396 Hammitt 52235 Miller 52477 Gall 52395 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

H. C. SUTHERLAND, R. A. STENZEL,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A GRID STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED FURRING AND MULLION MEANS DEFINING OPPOSED INWARDLY FACING CHANNELS, EACH FURRING AND MULLION MEANS INCLUDING A FURRING MEMBER AND A MULLION MEMBER DETACHABLY INTERCONNECTED TOGETHER AND DEFINING SAID CHANNEL THEREOF THEREBETWEEN, A PAIR OF SPACED MUNTINS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FURRING AND MULLION MEANS AND HAVING AND ENDS RESPECTIVELY DISPOSED IN SAID CHANNELS, FASTENING MEANS FASTENING SAID MUNTINS ONLY TO SAID FURRING MEMBERS, SAID MUNTINS HAVING OPPOSED INWARDLY FACING CHANNELS, AND A PANEL MEANS DISPOSED IN THE SPACE BOUNDED BY SAID MUNTINS AND SAID FURRING AND MULLION MEANS AND HAVING EDGES THEREOF RECEIVED IN SAID CHANNELS, OTHER FASTENING MEANS FASTENING SAID PANEL MEANS ONLY TO SAID FURRING MEMBERS WHEREBY SAID MULLION MEMBERS CAN BE ATTACHED TO AND DETACHED FROM SAID FURRING MEMBERS WITHOUT AFFECTING THE SECUREMENT OF SAID MUNTINS AND PANEL MEANS TO SAID FURRING MEMBERS AND WHEREBY SAID PANEL MEANS OR MUNTINS CAN BE ATTACHED TO AND DETACHED FROM SAID FURRING MEMBERS WITHOUT AFFECTING THE SECUREMENT OF THE OTHER TO SAID FURRING MEMBERS. 